maternity - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education

Definition of maternity

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ma·ter·ni·ty  audio  (m-tūrn-t) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. ma·ter·ni·ties
  1. The state of being a mother; motherhood.
  2. The feelings or characteristics associated with being a mother; motherliness.
  3. A maternity ward.
ADJECTIVE:
Relating to or effective during pregnancy, childbirth, or the first months of motherhood: a maternity dress; maternity leave.
ETYMOLOGY:
French maternité, from Medieval Latin mternits, from Latin mternus, maternal ; see maternal


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